Chris Planer's path to heavy drinking was "a progressive disease". "I didn't plan to be an alcoholic," he says.

Like many Australians, Chris Planer started as a social drinker in his teens, going out on weekends for a few beverages with his mates.

His addiction gradually crept up on him before coming to a life-changing halt in 2012 when he had a head-on collision while driving under the influence, landing him in hospital.

Chris Planer, a recovered alcoholic who hasn't touched it for 2 years now.Credit:James Brickwood

"I decided then that enough was enough," he said.

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He went through a detox and rehab program before joining Alcoholics Anonymous, which he credits with helping him stay sober.

The 35-year-old from Sydney's west is now studying for a diploma in alcohol, other drugs and mental health and volunteers for Life Education, which encourages young people to lead healthier lives.

Mr Planer believes few social drinkers realise the potential for harm in the bottle.

"It's important that people understand the dangers of alcohol, not just for them but for everyone around them, children, families and loved ones," he said.

The father of two boys, aged eight and four, regrets times when he was more focused on drinking than on his sons.

"With my children, I was there but I wasn't always attentive to them," he said. "I wasn't doing normal things like reading books to them or helping my oldest son with his homework."

Although his children were younger when he was drinking, be believes even smaller children can sense when something is amiss with a parent's drinking habits.

"Kids might not be aware that you are abusing alcohol but they know there is something going on," he said.

Mr Planer says his drinking cost him dearly. A professional manager, he lost jobs due to his heavy alcohol consumption which increased so subtly he never acknowledged it was a problem..

"It was a progressive disease for me," he said. "I got to the point where I wasn't able to function properly. I didn't plan to be an alcoholic, I didn't know that I was going to have a problem with alcohol.

"Now I know I can't one have one drink. The best thing for me to do is to stay sober, not just for me but for my children. They need someone they can rely on."